Shorten faces big business over tax policy

Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten has rubbed shoulders with Australia's biggest business leaders at a party fundraiser, but claims he'll only work with them - not for them.

Business chiefs paid up to $11,000 a head to get policy briefings from shadow ministers at the ALP's two-day Business Exchange event in Sydney, which wraps up on Wednesday afternoon.

As his party works to repair relations with the business sector after opposing the coalition's company tax cuts, Mr Shorten insisted most in the community backed his position.

"I believe the proper priority of the nation is the health care and the hospitals, the schools, rather than giving unaffordable tax cuts to the top end of town - and not very many people disagree with me," the Opposition leader told reporters in Sydney.

"I will work with business - but not for business."

The Business Exchange invitation describes the event as a "unique opportunity to receive briefings on major policy areas and network" with shadow ministers.